Rick Jodzio
Richard Joseph Jodzio (born June 3, 1954 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Colorado Rockies and the Cleveland Barons; he also played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the Vancouver Blazers and the Calgary Cowboys.
| Rick Jodzio | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
June 3, 1954 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Left Wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for |
Cleveland Barons (NHL) Colorado Rockies (NHL) Calgary Cowboys (WHA) Vancouver Blazers (WHA) | ||
| NHL Draft |
153rd overall, 1974 Buffalo Sabres | ||
| Playing career | 1974–1980 | ||
In his NHL career, Jodzio appeared in 70 games. He scored two goals and added eight assists while collecting 71 minutes in penalties. He played in 137 WHA games, scoring 15 goals and adding 16 assists with 357 minutes in penalties.
On April 11, 1976, one of the most infamous moments of organized hockey, Jodzio, while playing for the Calgary Cowboys of the WHA, attacked Quebec Nordiques star Marc Tardif with his hockey stick during a game in Quebec City. Jodzio's hit caused Tardif permanent brain damage.[1] Jodzio hit Tardif repeatedly as Tardif lay helpless on the ice.[2] Jodzio was ultimately suspended for the rest of the playoffs and charged with assault by Quebec police.[3] After pleading guilty, Jodzio was fined $3000.[1]
Jodzio was also a trained boxer. Since the incident Jodzio and Tardif have met for press interviews.
Jodzio is currently the owner of Frontline Freight, a less than truckload carrier based out of City of Industry, California.[4]
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1972–73 | Downsview Beavers | OPJAHL | 21 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1973–74 | Downsview Beavers | OPJAHL | 30 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 166 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1973–74 | Hamilton Red Wings | OHA | 30 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 86 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1974–75 | Charlotte Checkers | SHL | 37 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 109 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1974–75 | Vancouver Blazers | WHA | 44 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 159 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1975–76 | Springfield Indians | AHL | 24 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1975–76 | Calgary Cowboys | WHA | 47 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 137 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | ||
| 1976–77 | Tidewater Sharks | SHL | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1976–77 | Calgary Cowboys | WHA | 46 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1976–77 | Erie Blades | NAHL | 15 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 32 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 21 | ||
| 1977–78 | Colorado Rockies | NHL | 32 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1977–78 | Cleveland Barons | NHL | 38 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Oklahoma City Stars | CHL | 62 | 4 | 21 | 25 | 117 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | New Brunswick Hawks | AHL | 79 | 13 | 25 | 38 | 113 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 43 | ||
| WHA totals | 137 | 15 | 16 | 31 | 357 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | ||||
| NHL totals | 70 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
References
- Proteau, Adam (2011). Fighting the Good Fight: Why On-Ice Violence Is Killing Hockey. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 38–39. ISBN 9781118094891. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- "WEEK OF DISGRACE ON THE ICE". Vault. Sports Illustrated. 26 April 1976. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- "5 Suspended in W.H.A. Brawl". The New York Times. 15 April 1976. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- "Meet The Team | Frontline Freight". frontlinefreightinc.com. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from Hockey-Reference.com, or Legends of Hockey, or The Internet Hockey Database
- Polnaszek, Frank (1979). Larry Wigge (ed.). 1979-80 Hockey register. The Sporting News. ISBN 0-89204-051-3.
1-Allo Police page 6, 4 July 1976.